30 Facts About Theodoros Zagorakis

Theodoros Zagorakis is a Greek politician and former professional footballer who played as a midfielder.

Theodoros Zagorakis was the captain of Greece that won UEFA Euro 2004, and was president of PAOK.

Theodoros Zagorakis was named the Greek Male Athlete of the Year in 2004.

Theodoros Zagorakis was elected as a Greek MEP at the May 2014 European Parliament election.

Theodoros Zagorakis was the president of the HFF from March to September 2021.

Theodoros Zagorakis started his career with Kavala in 1988, the club that produced Zisis Vryzas, with whom he became close friends.

Theodoros Zagorakis was an important part of helping the team get into the Beta Ethniki.

Theodoros Zagorakis played for PAOK until December 1997, and captained the squad in his last two seasons.

Theodoros Zagorakis left for English club Leicester City the following winter and signed for Martin O'Neill's side in 1998.

Theodoros Zagorakis was disappointed with Leicester manager Martin O'Neill's reluctance to use him regularly and decided to return to Greece in 2000.

Theodoros Zagorakis moved to AEK Athens, and played alongside fellow countrymen such as Michalis Kapsis, Vasilios Lakis, Demis Nikolaidis and Vasilios Tsiartas.

Theodoros Zagorakis formed an excellent duo in midfield with both Akis Zikos and Kostas Katsouranis, helping with his game in the defensive part and in the organization of the offense, where he competed at times as a captain.

On 28 May 2007, after the fifth Greek Super League All-Star Game, Theodoros Zagorakis announced his retirement from professional football.

Theodoros Zagorakis received his first cap for Greece on 7 September 1994, against the Faroe Islands.

Theodoros Zagorakis scored his first goal against Denmark in 2006 World Cup qualifying, in Athens, while earning his 101st cap.

Theodoros Zagorakis earned his 100th against Kazakhstan on 17 November 2004, and was the team's longest-serving captain.

Theodoros Zagorakis played an important role in Greece's win in the 2004 European Championships, and was named the Player of the Tournament by UEFA and consequently he was in the Team of the Tournament.

Theodoros Zagorakis holds the record of most consecutive matches of the national team since his first cap in a period of 12 years.

Theodoros Zagorakis played for about 15 minutes and was then replaced by Giannis Goumas, receiving an applause by fans singing his name.

Theodoros Zagorakis undertook to sort out finances by attracting investors, increasing revenue and mobilising the club's fan base.

Theodoros Zagorakis appealed to small investors and stated that, although it is unlikely that the entire sum could be covered in a worldwide crisis environment, he felt confident that the expected influx of capital would enable PAOK finally to put its past problems behind and focus on future growth.

Theodoros Zagorakis was rapidly replaced by his close friend Zisis Vryzas.

In January 2012 Theodoros Zagorakis resigned as president after the sale of Vieirinha for financial reasons provoked a supporters' protest.

Theodoros Zagorakis was featured on the cover of the Greek edition of FIFA 2001.

Theodoros Zagorakis is looking to kick-off a new career in politics by becoming a Member of the European Parliament.

Theodoros Zagorakis was a New Democracy candidate for the European Parliament in the elections of 25 May 2014.

Theodoros Zagorakis was elected as an MEP and became a member of the European People's Party.

Theodoros Zagorakis was unveiled as one of the party's hopefuls by the Greek Prime Minister, Antonis Samaras.

Theodoros Zagorakis stated that he could no longer be MEP for New Democracy after this.

Several MP's said that Theodoros Zagorakis was elected in European Parliament to represent Greece, not PAOK.